Sophia, 15 November 1996 (RFE/RL) - The Bulgarian Constitutional Court has unanimously overruled two sections of the Radio and Television law as violations of the constitutional guarantee to freedom of expression and information. The legislation was proposed by the ruling Socialist party earlier this year.
The court decision yesterday dissolves the structure of the proposed National Radio and Television Council, which would have had the power to approve programs on private radio and TV stations.
Constitutional Court Justice Todor Todorov said a ruling body should be appointed that would "respect the constitutional principles of pluralism and the independence of the media."
The Court's decision also says radio and television stations can only be shut down by a court order based on violations of the law and the constitution.
Under the Bulgarian constitution, the ruling cannot be appealed.